Seth Hammaker tops 250MX qualifying, maintains 13-point lead
Round 2 of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross, the Hangtown Pro Motocross at Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova, saw qualifying set the starting gates and frame expectations for the motos. In 450MX qualifying Jett Lawrence took pole with a lap of 1:49.886, Haiden Deegan was second-fastest at 1:50.389 and Jorge Prado third at 1:50.543. Hunter Lawrence fell during the second qualifying session but still posted the fourth-fastest time of 1:50.797, while Justin Cooper was fifth-fastest in 1:51.014. In 250MX qualifying Seth Hammaker topped the charts with a 1:52.621 lap as he entered the Hangtown weekend 13 points clear in the 250 championship. Ryder DiFrancesco was second-fastest in 1:52.871, Jo Shimoda third in 1:52.950, with Cole Davies and Levi Kitchen listed just behind the top three. The weekend arrived with key championship and injury storylines shaping expectations for race day. Hunter Lawrence held a six-point lead over Jorge Prado after last week’s season opener. Jett Lawrence remained hampered by a pre-supercross leg and ankle injury. Eli Tomac was sidelined after a crash and Malcolm Stewart was out with a twisted knee. Haiden Deegan had made his 450 debut last week, posting a 5-4 score for fifth overall. Track preparation at Hangtown featured rice hulls that were holding moisture and a revised layout that included an uphill roller, a big middle triple and a larger Fly 150. Morning temperatures were in the 60s with a forecast high near 84. Press-day coverage and fan previews arrived ahead of the motos. TransWorld Motocross posted two short YouTube videos with rider impressions and a first look at the Hangtown track, presenting the material as preview content rather than race coverage. In WMX action from earlier, defending champion Lala Turner holeshot and crashed in moto one but charged back to pass Charli Cannon on the final lap, with moto two scheduled for today.
